Darwin Ray Gates

Graveside funeral services for Darwin Ray Gates, age 74 of Ruston, LA are scheduled for 3:30 PM, Friday, September 4, 2026 in Kilpatrick’s Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Ruston. Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 PM, Friday, at Owens Memorial Chapel. Arrangements are under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel funeral home of Ruston.

Darwin Ray Gates, was born February 5th, 1952 in Jonesboro LA to Wilma Mae and Thomas Ray Gates, and passed away on August 29th, 2026 in Shreveport, LA.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Gerald Gates; his daughter, Robin Gates; his father, Thomas Ray Gates; and his mother, Wilma Gates. Darwin is survived by his wife, Nora Gates; his son, Alex Gates; brothers, Lamar and Kevin Gates; and nephews, Bryan and Andrew Gates.

An avid gardener, Darwin spent much of his time with his hands in the soil, whether pulling weeds or crossbreeding new varieties of daylilies. He had a lifelong passion for music, a love of mathematics, and a talent for drawing. He graduated from Louisiana Tech University and spent 25 years working at WPS Industries before retiring.

Darwin was truly one of a kind—fiercely independent, strong-willed, and unmistakably himself. Though his headstrong nature could be frustrating at times, he was a constant source of laughter, love, and support for his family: rarely missing a baseball game or BMX race, a pillar of stability.

Darwin will be remembered for his one-of-a-kind sense of humor, his ability to force a smirk, his passionate spirit, and his steadfast devotion to those he loved. He will be deeply missed and thought of often.